WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU COULD OFFER YOUR FORMER, EXPECTANT SELF?

 

I wish I could tell my expectant self, not to stress the small stuff. I can’t even tell you how many hours I’ve sat stressing over nap schedules, whether or not my children were hitting their milestones. I’d also tell myself to live in the moment, because those toddler years fly by way too quickly!

 

YOU HAVE BUILT A BEAUTIFUL AND INSPIRING SPACE FOR ALL PHASES AND STAGES OF MOTHERS. IT IS CARING, CREATIVE AND ABOVE ALL ELSE ACCESSIBLE. IS THIS WHAT YOU EXPECTED WHEN YOU DREAMED UP YOUR PROFESSIONAL FUTURE?

 

Aww thank you. I initially started Stroller In The City for friends and family. I never really intended for it to grow the way it has. It’s been an amazing adventure and I’ve tried to be as transparent as possible when it comes to motherhood and specifically motherhood in NYC.

 

IN ADDITION TO STROLLER IN THE CITY YOU HAVE AN IMPECCABLE DESIGN SENSE  THAT TAKES YOU ON AMAZING ADVENTURES.  WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS YOU HAVE EVOLVED OVER TIME?

 

Overtime I have learned that I’m always evolving and to always listen to my gut. If something doesn’t feel right, to speak up and not force myself to do something. While the core of who I am stays the same, my passions and interests grow as my children grow, as I welcome new loving faces into my life, and as my business develops. Everything big and small contributes to the person I continue to become.

 

YOU ARE KNOWN AS A LEADER AND A MENTOR – CONSTANTLY RAISING THE BAR AT THE HELM OF STROLLER IN THE CITY. IT IS AN EVER- BLOSSOMING AND MUCH LOVED  SITE. THROUGH YOUR SUPER-ENCOURAGING (NOT TO MENTION BEAUTIFUL) SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, YOU CONTINUE TO EXPLORE WAYS TO SUPPORT MOTHERS AND FAMILIES. WHAT IS NEXT ON YOUR JOURNEY?

 

Supporting moms and women-owned foundations have always been at the core of Stroller In The City. I’ve always believed if I had the platform and voice, to use it. SITC will continue to feature small businesses I believe deserve support.

 

YOU WORK LONG HOURS AND OBVIOUSLY POUR YOUR DEDICATION INTO ALL YOU DO. YOU SPEAK TO THE VALUE CREATIVITY, STYLE AND SELF CARE. HOW DO YOU PREPARE? HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF RESTED AND WELL?

 

I think this is a really hard task for most working women and especially moms. I struggle with self care daily, and definitely consider myself a work in progress when it comes to that. I’d love to say I take an hour each day for myself, but that is far beyond realistic. I love a good Soul Cycle class, but definitely struggle to find that time for myself.

 

But when it comes to creativity, I think first and foremost NYC inspires me alot! The energy in the Big Apple is like no other. Fashion and food also really contribute to my self care. Before SITC I owned a fashion showroom. Beautiful designs and seasonal fashion really keep me going. But I think what helps me relax the most is trying new recipes and delicious food. I make dinner most nights of the week and more often than not it’s a new recipe we’ve never had.

 

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST COVID LEARNINGS? HOW WAS IT WITH THE TWO GIRLS AND YOUR SON? A NEW HOME? BEING A PARTNER, CHILD, FRIEND. WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU NOW?

 

It was incredibly difficult to mother through covid but ultimately what matters most is that we were safe and healthy. We didn’t move into our home until the winter of 2020/2021 so the thick of covid was spent in our tiny apartment. It was a challenge to also become my children’s homeschool teacher while trying to work. Ultimately, we got a lot of time together! I now know and understand my children and our family in a way I didn’t before. We all grew closer together.

 

THINKING BACK, WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A NEW MOTHER WORKING? IF NOT, WHAT?

 

I think it was a combination of a lot of factors and moving parts. Our space, schooling, work, fear, etc… and ultimately nowhere to rejuvenate or reset. I think mom guilt plays a huge factor in this. You can have the greatest nanny or caregiver possible, but us mamas totally put guilt on ourselves that we are missing out on those special moments, or if a work meeting ran over and you were there for bedtime. Dare I use the word, balance which is something we all strive for, but I feel like its more of a juggling act.

 

WHAT PRO-TIPS DO YOU HAVE TO SHARE WITH OTHER NEW OR EXPECTANT MOTHERS?

 

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. There are a lot of societal opinions on how to mother, but no mother is better for your baby than you! Also ask for help. As women and moms it can sometimes be hard to ask for help. We feel like we have to do it all. A happy mom is a happy baby and sometimes having a little help goes a long way.

 

WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST SOURCE OF SUPPORT IN RETURNING TO WORK AS A NEW MOTHER?

 

While my husband is an amazing father and partner, he travels a lot for work so I was often found myself working full time while being a full time mom, and while that’s still the case, it is hard. I finally hired a nanny when my third was born, and it opened up a lot of doors for me. I was able to go on work meetings, write on my blog when I was actually co-herant, and not when my children were sleeping. I also have an assistant that helps me with my business. And honest the support of peers and the relationships I have formed with the women in my space, have really supported me.

 

WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS? WHO DO YOU MENTOR?

 

Gosh I feel like I have so many, when it comes to mentoring being a mom, its my mamas friends that I turn to when I look for advice. As for mentors, I have to say you Julia for always giving me incredible advice about my business, and of course Nicole Feliciano, she was the first blogger to invite me to an event almost 11 years ago now. That event alone, definitely helped me navigate m way through blogging and business.

 

As for who I mentor, I’d like to think I am an open book and happy to help anyone, more recently my sister who just had a baby!

 

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

 

As a working parent, I never expected ___selfcare______would be so hard and __sleep training___would be so much easier.

 

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